Surgical treatment options for knee OA

When all non-surgical treatment interventions have been exhausted and no longer help to alleviate the pain, and mobility is severely compromised, your doctor might suggest a knee replacement surgery. The best time and type of surgery can be determined with the help of an orthopaedic surgeon.

Total knee replacement

This procedure is only considered when there is clearly significant damage to the surfaces on both sides of the bones and the patient is in severe pain that cannot be alleviated by means of other treatment options. During surgery, the damaged joint surface of the knee is replaced with metal and plastic components shaped to allow continued motion of the knee.

Knee replacement is a major surgery that involves general anesthesia. It typically involves substantial post-operative pain and includes vigorous physical rehabilitation. Patients may need to use mobility aids (e.g. walking frames, canes, crutches) during recovery time. It usually takes a patient between 3 and 6 months to recover after total knee replacement surgery.

The life span of an artificial knee joint is around 10-15 years, on average, after which a second knee replacement surgery might be needed.

Partial knee replacement

If the damage from knee OA is restricted to one side of the joint only, the surgeon may consider an operation that will safeguard the healthy side. The procedure involves resurfacing only the diseased or affected side of the knee with metal and plastic, and it is usually called ‘unicompartmental knee replacement’.

Partial knee replacement involves smaller incisions, quicker recovery time and less blood loss than total knee replacement. It does however still require anesthesia, either regional or general. The disadvantages of partial knee replacement compared with total knee replacement include less predictable pain relief, and the potential need for more surgery in the future if arthritis develops in the parts of the knee that have not been replaced.

Post-operative physical therapy is needed after surgery and patients may need to use mobility aids (e.g. walking frames, canes, crutches) for the first days or weeks until they become comfortable enough to walk without assistance. Patients can usually resume their regular activities of daily living 6 weeks after a partial knee replacement surgery.

Osteotomy

Used to realign arthritic damage on one side of the knee.

When your surgeon restructures the bones, as happens in this kind of surgery, the stresses on the affected cartilage are shifted to more healthy tissue.

The surgery requires general anesthesia and due to the nature of the procedure, recovery may be extensive. A period of partial weight bearing only is usually needed for at least six weeks, often achieved through use of crutches. Putting too much weight on the knee too early may damage the bone surface and prolong healing time.

Swelling in the leg usually decreases over a span of 3 to 6 months after osteotomy surgery. Patients must exercise caution during all activities, including walking, until healing is complete. Between 6 weeks and 6 months’ time might be needed off from work, depending on how much patients rely on their knee to perform their job.

Arthroscopy

A less common surgical treatment for knee OA symptoms is arthroscopy, which usually involves the insertion of a small camera into the knee to get a clearer picture of what is happening and how best to treat it.

Unloader One and surgery

The Unloader One knee brace can delay the need for total knee replacement surgery and improve quality of life for many osteoarthritis sufferers.

Although some people who have been wearing an Unloader One brace for many years may eventually need knee replacement, they will usually have had more healthy and active years of life before surgery becomes a necessity

Even when knee replacement surgery is required there may often be a long wait for a surgical appointment. The Unloader One knee brace can be a useful interim treatment in these cases.

Interested in the Unloader One?

We can help you, contact us TOLL FREE at 1800-3000-6220 or send us an e-mail at [email protected]...or simply want to learn some more about the knee brace?Össur India's specialists are also available to answer any questions you might have on knee OA and the Unloader One knee brace. Ask our expert.

This site offers information on the treatment options for knee pain
caused by osteoarthritis, one of the most common causes of debilitating
knee pain.

Tonik Medical believes in giving back to the community and we will strive to educate the Malaysian population regarding the education, prevention and management of neuromusculoskeletal diseases as well as potential treatment options. We aim to be the number one distributor in Malaysia for all non-surgical solutions in orthopaedics.Our mission is to continually source and provide top quality innovative products to like minded healthcare professionals in order to improve the quality of life for the end user, your patient. We pride ourselves on offering first grade customer service and will go the extra mile to satisfy all of our customers.

Tonik Medical is the sole distributor of Unloader Bracing in Malaysia.

If you are interested in becoming an
accredited centre of excellence for knee
OA please contact Tonik Medical at
[email protected]

Össur is a global leader in the development of non-invasive orthopeadics. Always at the forefront of innovation, delivering a wide range of products and services, Össur’s reputation has been built on scientifically-proven designs with the emphasis on clinical outcomes.

The Unloader One knee brace is one of the company’s flagship products.